Taekwondo for Women
Listed below is basic advice
and potential benefits for women who are thinking about taking Taekwondo or any other
martial art. These
tips and suggestions come from many female Taekwondo students. My thanks to
Diana, Sandi, Mimi, Jill, Paula, Salix, Sandra and of course, my lovely
wife! If you have any more advice for Taekwondo women, please
send me an email.
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- Cool Factor
- According to my
friend Sandi, children think you are the "coolest Mom ever" if
you take Taekwondo. Do you want to be a child's superhero (a butt
kicking Taekwondo black belt) or just another soccer Mom? :)
- Camaraderie
- These classes can be lots of fun
and you will meet many new friends.
- Take a class with another female
friend. Many instructors have women practice together so they
can help each other out. Ask your instructor to pair you up with
a friend for the drills.
- The social aspect of Taekwondo
is one of the major reasons that I enjoy this great martial art.
It will become your own little social club.
- Stress Relief
-
As my friend Sandi
stated "Another reason I do Taekwondo is for my own peace of
mind."
-
Taekwondo helps you
to forget all of the problems of the day.
-
Hitting something
lets you blow off steam!
- Self-Confidence
- You will gain confidence as you
master complex kicks, forms and self-defense.
- People will admire your
perseverance, fortitude... and your nasty spinning hook kick. :)
- Our friend Mimi says that
Taekwondo builds
"self confidence in any individual whether male/female/old or
young as long as they stick with it. The learning never ends.
Saved my life."
- Health Benefits
- You will lose weight, reduce the
chance of heart disease & diabetes, build bone mass, improve
your mood, enhance your flexibility & balance, etc.
- However, see a doctor if you
have any existing medical issues as Taekwondo can be very
strenuous.
- Weight Loss & Body Toning
- This is a great aerobic exercise
program where you learn new things every class. You won't be
bored and you will get into fantastic shape.
- According to my friend Jill, "don't wait to join Taekwondo until
you are in shape. Let Taekwondo help you."
- Kids & Family
- See the "Cool Factor" above!
- A great way to bond with your
family.
- You get to see who are the nice
and "less nice" kids in the Taekwondo classes (and thus who
should or should not be friends with your children).
- Our friend Paula made the
following comment - "Starting
tkd with your family makes it easier since you are all starting
on the same level. You can lean on each other for support as you
learn. You also become a positive role model to your children.
In a time when everyone tends to run to ballet, basketball and
band practice, tkd is an activity we can participate in
together."
- Instructors
- As my friend Diana states,
instructors "can
be helpful/accommodating if there is a problem, but ONLY if they
know about it" to
prior injuries or problems. Let them know that you have an issue
(i.e. back problem, flashbacks, etc.) so they can design a semi-tailored program
for you or at least so they understand why you avoid certain
stretches or techniques.
- Self-Defense
- Taekwondo teaches you valuable
self-defense skills in case you are in a dangerous situation
(i.e. facing a potential mugging, rape or abuse). I have created a page devoted to
self-defense techniques for women.
- Male Students
- You may be less powerful than
men but you are much more flexible. So next time, you wish that
you could hit as hard as one of the male students... just
remember that the men are wishing that they could kick as high
as you! I am always wishing that I had half the flexibility of
most female students.
- You learn how to "deal" with the opposite sex
in a safe & controlled environment. If you want to learn
self-defense, you need to practice against men (who
unfortunately are often the trouble-makers in real life).
- Remember that some of us men are not half bad.
:)
- Seriously, you will bond with
all of your fellow students as you experience the joys & pain of
Taekwondo together.
- Our friend Salix states
"The only difference
I have with training then the guys, is sparring. Some of the
other women in my class don't like to spar hard, so we take it
easier on each other. Drills, warm-up, poomse and kicks are all
the same. Self defense training, we try to partner up with
another female (if possible), because some of the holds/ throws
are up close and personal.. like getting out of a choke hold.
Letting the head instructor know about prior injuries and past
experiences that may interfere with training (like getting a
flash from past abuse) is very helpful. With them knowing about
these things, they can help with building self confidence to get
past these things. This is by far the best 'therapy' I have ever
had. As a woman in this class, I don't want to be treated any
differently than the other students. I am there to learn, the
same as anyone else there."
- Take A Chance
- Try Taekwondo, many people love
it.
- Take a free introductory class
in case you don't like the instructor, intense work-out, etc.
- Nevertheless, remember the old
Asian saying... The first step is often the hardest part of any
journey. Or as my friend Paula more succinctly states "The
hardest part about starting tkd is actually getting on the floor
for your first time. Women (just like everyone else) have to
remember, everyone starts at white belt. It will feel strange or
uncomfortable for the first few classes until you start to
develop some muscle memory. Stick with it at least 3 months
before deciding it isn't for you."
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